Iowa State, who beat Nebraska at home on Feb. 11, posted its second-highest team score of the year.

“We had such a great run without having mistakes or having to count falls,” OU head coach Steve Nunno said. “We knew it was going to come sooner or later.

“We were uncharacteristically sloppy on two of our best events floor and bars. We’ve been almost perfect on floor at every meet so I’ve been dreading something like this might happen.”

The Sooners began on the uneven bars and posted a season-low 48.525.

“We started on bars with a fall and I think it spilled over to the other routines,” Nunno said.

The Sooners were outscored on vault for just the second time this season, 49.35-49.075, as Iowa State swept four of the top-five places.

“We weren’t great on vault and they were,” Nunno said. “Obviously, that wasn’t a good combination.”

Results didn’t get better for the Sooners on the floor.

“Ashley Cooney twisted her ankle on floor,” Nunno said. “She was trying to avoid going out of bounds so she took a weird step. We think she has a mild sprain and will evaluate it further when we get back.”

Cooney finished her floor routine, but was replaced on beam by Caitlin Hinkis on bars.

Hinkis, performing her first competitive collegiate routine on the apparatus, tied with teammate Stephanie LoPiccolo for second place after a 9.875 routine.

“Caitlin Hinkis filled in for Ashley on beam and nailed a wonderful routine,” Nunno said. “It set the tone as everyone finished strong, nailing their beam routines.”

“Erin really showed her leadership,” Nunno said. “She had a big fall in the warmup, but she nailed her bar and beam routines. She also finished floor well, having to go after Ashley’s mishap.”

LaBarr also won the all-around title, her third of the season, and shared victory on uneven bars with a 9.875 routine.

Kristen Cox continued her string of good performances, scoring a career-high 9.825 on beam and season-high 9.85 on bars.

“We were a little flat tonight,” Nunno said. “I think we have to learn how to be tougher on the road.”

The Sooners will have three weeks before their next true road trip as they host Texas Woman’s University on Saturday, March 5, before hosting No. 1 LSU in Tulsa on Friday, March 11.

Saturday’s meet is the final regular-season competition inside Lloyd Noble Center for seniors Erin LaBarr and Nicole Gause. The two will be honored for their achievements and dedication as part of OU’s women’s gymnastics program.

SOONER SPORTS PROPERTIES

Sooner Sports Properties, LLC, is the multimedia rights holder for athletics at the University of Oklahoma.
Sooner Sports Properties is a joint venture of Learfield Communications, Tyler Media, LLC and Griffin Television.

PREMIER PARTNERS

POWERED BY FOX SPORTS

Sooner Sports Powered by FOX Sports is a multi-platform network that provides distribution of 1,000+ hours of Sooner sports programming annually on a variety of FOX Sports outlets, including FOX Sports Oklahoma, FOX Sports Southwest, and FOX College Sports.

OU inspires champions today and prepares leaders for tomorrow by enabling its student-athletes to achieve their highest academic, athletic and personal aspirations. The OU Athletics Department sponsors 21 varsity sports with more than 600 student-athletes and is completely self-supporting.